Boxing glove with open fingers

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a boxing glove with open fingers are provided. In some implementations, the boxing glove comprises material configured to cover the palm area and dorsal area of a hand and a portion of the fingers and thumb on the anterior and posterior of the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove. The boxing glove further comprises separate tubular coverings having an opening therethrough configured to separately surround the fingers and thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove. The boxing glove further comprises a pre-molded foam configured to cover the dorsal area of a hand and a portion of the fingers and thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove. The curved portion of the pre-molded foam keeps its form when the fingers are extended and instead bends at the juncture of the curved portion and the finger portion of the pre-molded foam. In some implementations, the material is gathered on the sides of the curved portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of boxing gloves with open fingers.

BACKGROUND

Although open-fingered mixed martial art gloves exist, these gloves are not boxing gloves. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,045 discloses a protective glove for use in the karate sports. As disclosed in the '045 patent and shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the glove permits the hand of the wearer to be used with the fingers extended or the hand can be used as a fist to deliver various types of blows in the art of karate. The '045 patent discloses that the thickened portion 20 is adapted to fold inwardly at the juncture 46 where the thickened portion 20 extends from section 28. The '045 patent discloses that juncture 46 is generally designed to conform across the knuckles of the hand so that when the hand is formed into a fist as shown in FIG. 1B, the thickened portion 20 will fold with the fingers. The '045 patent further discloses that the glove is adapted to generally cover particularly the back and side of the hand, back of the thumb, and most of the wrist of the wearer. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the glove generally does not cover the inside of the hands. Still further, the gloves disclosed in the '045 patent do not individually retain the fingers and, in some embodiments, the tips of the fingers are retained in a pocket (see, e.g., FIG. 1C) and, therefore, are not exposed to be used individually.

U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2013/0014306 discloses a glove for use in mixed martial arts. Similar to the '045 Patent, the '306 patent application discloses a glove for mixed martial arts. Similar to the '045 Patent, the '306 patent application discloses a glove of a type capable of assuming an open position for grappling and a clinched fist position for striking. The '306 patent application discloses that this feature is achieve by an integral bend in the glove that is capable of unbending by unclenching the user's fingers by flexion from the clinched fist position to the open position. Still further, similar to the '045 Patent, as shown in FIGS. 2, the gloves disclosed in the '306 patent application generally do not cover the inside of the hands. Still further, as shown in FIGS. 2, the '306 patent application discloses a split fingered glove that does not have a thumb sheath.

Existing open figured gloves lack the elements of traditional boxing gloves because these existing gloves are designed for a different use (e.g., mixed martial art).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C and 2 illustrate prior art open-fingered mixed martial art gloves.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate an example implementation of a boxing glove according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an example implementations of a pre-molded foam of a boxing glove according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a boxing glove with open fingers are provided. In some implementations, the boxing glove comprises material configured to cover the palm area and dorsal area of a hand and a portion of the fingers and thumb on the anterior and posterior of the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove.

The boxing glove further comprises separate tubular coverings having an opening therethrough configured to separately surround the fingers and thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove. Each tubular covering is configured to extend down a portion of a finger or thumb and has an opening at the distal end so that a finger or thumb may extend through the tubular covering when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove.

The boxing glove further comprises a pre-molded foam configured to cover the dorsal area of a hand and a portion of the fingers and thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove. A portion of the pre-molded foam that is configured to cover the dorsal area of the hand is flat with a predetermined thickness. The pre-molded foam further comprises a curved portion that extends past the bases of the proximal phalanges and covers a portion of proximal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove.

Still further, the pre-molded foam comprises four finger portions that extends from the curved portion and configured to cover at least a portion of the proximal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove.

Still further, the pre-molded foam comprises a thumb portion that extends from the flat portion and configured to cover a portion of the thumb.

The curved portion has a predetermined thickness that is greater than the thickness of the flat portion and the four finger portions are flat with a predetermined thickness that is less than the thickness of the curved portion.

In some implementations, the material is gathered on the sides of the curved portion.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate an example implementation of a boxing glove 300 according to the present disclosure. In some implementations, the boxing glove 300 includes material 310, 320 to cover the palm area and dorsal area of a hand and includes separate tubular coverings 340 having an opening therethrough configured to separately surround the fingers and thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. Each tubular covering 340 is configured to extend down a portion of a finger or thumb and has an opening at the distal end so that a finger or thumb may extend through the tubular covering 340 when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the distal ends are covered with a binding. The binding adds reinforcement helps to keep the tubular integrity of the tubular coverings 340.

In some implementations, the boxing glove 300 includes a first piece of material 310 configured to cover the palm area of a hand or a portion thereof and a portion of the fingers and thumb on the anterior of the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the first piece of material 310 may comprise cutouts for a first portion of each tubular covering 340. In some implementations, the first piece of material 310 may comprise a plurality of pieces of material stitched together.

In some implementations, the boxing glove 300 includes a second piece of material 320 configured to cover the dorsal area of a hand or a portion thereof and a portion of the fingers and thumb on the posterior of the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the second piece of material 320 may comprise cutouts for a second portion of each tubular covering 340. In some implementations, the second piece of material 320 may comprise a plurality of pieces of material stitched together.

In some implementations, in between each finger, a third piece of material 330 attaches a portion of the first piece of material corresponding to adjacent sides of the tubular coverings 340 for the two adjacent fingers to a portion of the second piece of material corresponding to adjacent sides of the tubular covering 340 for the two adjacent fingers.

The first, second, and third piece of material may be leather, vinyl, or any other suitable material.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8 in some implementations, the boxing glove 300 also may include a pre-molded foam (e.g., 410, 700) configured to cover the dorsal area of a hand and a portion of the fingers when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

In some implementations, a portion of the pre-molded foam that is configured to cover the dorsal area of the hand or portion thereof (e.g., 410 a, 710) may be flat. In some implementations, a portion of the pre-molded foam that is configured to cover the dorsal area of the hand or portion thereof (e.g., 410 a, 710) may have no or relatively little curvature. In some implementations, a portion of the pre-molded foam that is configured to cover the dorsal area of the hand or portion thereof (e.g., 410 a, 710) may have no or relatively little slope. .In some implementations, a portion of the pre-molded foam that is configured to cover the dorsal area of the hand or portion thereof may slope.

In some implementations, the flat portion 410 a has a predetermined thickness. In some implementations, the flat portion 410 a may be 2.5 cm thick. In some implementations, the flat portions 410 a may be thicker or thinner.

In some implementations, a portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) of the premolded foam may be configured to curve around at least the bases of the proximal phalanges in the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

In some implementations, a portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) of the premolded foam may be configured to curve around at least the heads of the metacarpal bones and the bases of the proximal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

In some implementations, a portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) of the premolded foam may be configured to curve around at least the metacarpophalangeal joint when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

In some implementations, a portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) of the premolded foam is configured to curve around at least the knuckles of a clenched fist when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

In some implementations, the curved portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) of the premolded foam has a predetermined thickness that is greater than the thickness of the flat portion. In some implementations, the curved portion 410 b may be 5.1 cm thick. In some implementations, the curved portion 410 b may be thicker or thinner.

In some implementations, the curved portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) extends from the flat portion 410 and over the metacarpophalangeal joints when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the curved portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) extends past the bases of the proximal phalanges and covers a portion of proximal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

In some implementations, the premolded foam (e.g., 410, 700) further includes cutouts for four finger portions (e.g., 410 c, 730) that extend from the curved portion. In some implementations, the finger portions are flat. In some implementations, the finger portions are curved. In some implementations, the finger portions have a predetermined thickness that is less than the thickness of the curved portion. In some implementations, the finger portions may be 1.2 cm thick. In some implementations, the finger portions may be thicker or thinner.

The finger portions (e.g., 410 c, 730) are configured to cover a portion of the fingers when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the finger portions (e.g., 410 c, 730) cover a portion of the proximal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the finger portions (e.g., 410 c, 730) cover a portion of the proximal phalanges and at least a portion of the intermediate phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the finger portions (e.g., 410 c, 730) cover a portion of the proximal phalanges, the intermediate phalanges, and at least a portion of the distal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

In some implementations, the finger portions measured from the bottom/crotch between the fingers to the distal end may be 3.5 cm to 5 cm long. In some implementations, the finger portions may be shorter or longer. In some implementations, the length of the finger portion corresponding to the pinky finger (e.g., 730 a) may be shorter than the remaining fingers. In some implementations, the two middle fingers (e.g., 730 b) are longer than the remaining fingers.

In some implementations, the premolded foam (e.g., 410, 700) further includes a thumb portion (e.g., 410 d, 740). In some implementations, thumb portion (e.g., 410 d, 740) extends from the flat portion (e.g., 410 a, 710) and is configured to cover a portion of the thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove. In some implementations, the thumb portion (e.g., 410 d, 740) covers a portion of the proximal phalanx when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300. In some implementations, the thumb portion (e.g., 410 d, 740) covers a portion of the proximal phalanx and at least a portion of the distal phalanx when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove 300.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some implementations, the boxing glove 300 may include gathered seams 350 on the sides of the curved portion.

In this way, the curved portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) keeps its form when the fingers are extended, unlike existing open-fingered mixed martial art gloves. Instead, when the fingers are extended, the pre-molded foam (410, 700) bends at the juncture (e.g., 410 e) of the curved portion (e.g., 410 b, 720) and the finger portion (410 c, 730).

In some implementations, the boxing glove 300 includes a grip bar 360 extending across the palm area. In some implementations, the grip bar 360 may be foam, plastic, wood, metal, or any suitable material. In some implementations, the grip bar 360 may be located 2 cm to 2.5 cm below the bottom/crotch of between the fingers. In some implementations, the grip bar 360 may be closer to or farther from the bottom/crotch of between the fingers.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in an embodiment” or “an implementation” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail. 

1. A boxing glove comprising: material configured to cover the palm area and dorsal area of a hand wherein the material is further configured to cover a portion of the fingers and thumb on the anterior and posterior of the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove; separate tubular coverings having an opening therethrough configured to separately surround the fingers and thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove wherein each tubular covering is configured to extend down a portion of a finger or thumb and has an opening at the distal end so that a finger or thumb may extend through the tubular covering when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove; and a pre-molded foam configured to cover the dorsal area of a hand and a portion of the fingers and thumb when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove wherein, the pre-molded foam comprising a curved portion that extends past the bases of the proximal phalanges and covers a portion of proximal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove and four finger portions that extends from the curved portion and configured to cover at least a portion of the proximal phalanges when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove, wherein the curved portion has a predetermined thickness that is greater than the thickness of the a portion of the pre-molded foam covering a portion of the dorsal area of the hand and wherein the four finger portions are curved with a predetermined thickness that is less than the thickness of the curved portion.
 2. The boxing glove of claim 1 wherein the material comprises a first piece of material configured to cover the palm area of a hand and a portion of the fingers and thumb on the anterior of the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove wherein the first piece of material further comprises cutouts for a first portion of each tubular covering and a second piece of material configured to cover the dorsal area of a hand and a portion of the fingers and thumb on the posterior of the hand when a hand is inserted into the boxing glove wherein the second piece of material further comprise cutouts for a second portion of each tubular covering, wherein in between each finger of the boxing glove, a third piece of material attaches a portion of the first piece of material corresponding to adjacent sides of the tubular coverings for the two adjacent fingers to a portion of the second piece of material corresponding to adjacent sides of the tubular covering for the two adjacent fingers.
 3. The boxing glove of claim 2 wherein the first piece of material comprises a plurality of pieces of material stitched together.
 4. The boxing glove of claim 2 wherein the first piece of material is gathered on the sides of the curved portion.
 5. The boxing glove of claim 1 wherein the pinky of the finger portion is shorter than the remaining fingers of the finger portion.
 6. The boxing glove of claim 1 wherein the material is gathered on the sides of the curved portion.
 7. The boxing glove of claim 1 further comprising a grip bar extending across the palm area. 